Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano has announced the success of a farmer’s market in Roosevelt operated by neighborhood youth and supplied by local farmers, giving community members unprecedented access to fresh produce. The Roosevelt Youth Farmers Market is partially funded by a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant from Nassau County.

“The market provides Roosevelt residents with locally grown fruits, produce and other products, right here in their own neighborhood. It helps establish a sense of community and gives high school students a unique opportunity to learn about the basics of running a business,” said County Executive Mangano. “I am pleased that the county was able to help fund this great program, and am sure we can build on our success again for next year.”

“Without the help of Nassau County, the youth-run farmers’ market would not be where it is today,” said Sarah Lansdale, executive director of Sustainable Long Island. “We are just so grateful that this partnership has helped provide thousands of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to a community who was so desperately in need for alternative food options.”

The Roosevelt Youth Farmer’s Market is part of a pilot program established by Sustainable Long Island and the Long Island Farm Bureau to make locally grown produce available to historically underserved communities, with a Youth-run Farmers Market also open in Bellport, Suffolk County. Open every Sunday beginning on July 11 and running until October 31, the Roosevelt market has operated with five Roosevelt High School students at the helm, who each work 25 hours a week at $7.50 per hour, and one part-time seasonal market manager working 30 hours a week at $15 per hour. All student workers completed a training program and are responsible for promoting and publicizing the market as well as running the farm stand under the direction of the market manager.

The Roosevelt Community Revitalization Group is a participating local community partner, along with NuHealth (Nassau Health Care Corporation), which has agreed to host the market at the NuHealth Clinic at 380 Nassau Road. Participating farms include Anderson Farms, Philip A. Schmitt & Son, Deer Run Farms, and W & K Farms.